Study reveals the top 40 travel experiences in the world

Jack Peat

How many of these have you ticked off?

The top holiday ‘wish list’ experiences for 2023 are seeing the Northern Lights, travelling on the Orient Express, and exploring the Norwegian Fjords.

A study of 2,000 travellers found staying in an over-water bungalow in the Maldives, safari in Africa and driving Route 66 in America also made the top 40 list – with ‘off the beaten track’ experiences more desirable than tourist hotspots.

Visiting Tutankhamun’s tomb in Egypt, experiencing the Midnight Sun and witnessing Iceland’s Geyser are also popular.

Martin Lister, head of itinerary planning and destination experience at Fred Olsen Cruise Lines which commissioned the research, said: “For many of us, holidays and travelling the world are one of life’s highlights.

“There are so many things that we want to see, do and explore, as shown in the wish lists shared with us and these play a huge part in us deciding where we go when booking a holiday.”

The study also found 65 per cent of adults want to see as much of the world as they possibly can, but just 15 per cent think they will manage to tick everything off their wish list due to cost, time or simply the amount they wish to see.

Each year, the average adult spends £2,111 (€2,371) on trips, with somewhere off the beaten track the most likely choice for 38 per cent, compared to just 17 per cent who would choose a popular tourist resort.

Good weather is the most important ingredient for a dream holiday for half of those polled, via OnePoll, followed by experiencing the culture, nature and history of a country (39 per cent) and going somewhere you’ve not been before (29 per cent).

Others look for authentic experiences (19 per cent), seeing local wildlife (18 per cent) and all-inclusive food and drink (17 per cent).

As a result, the weather is the biggest factor when deciding where to go for 52 per cent, while 42 per cent base their decision on the landmarks or sights to see.

The travel time (39 per cent), food (35 per cent) and culture (30 per cent) are also important considerations.

While 47 per cent dislike going to the same destinations time and time again – because they have so much they want to see.

Martin Lister, from Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, added: “A cruise can be a fantastic way to experience the world, arriving in a new port, spending a day exploring and waking up somewhere different where new opportunities await.”